Why Train with NaRCAD? A Unique, Hands-On Course in Social Marketing

Bevin K. Shagoury, NaRCAD Communications Director
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Tags: ​Detailing Visits, Evidence-Based Medicine, Training

​We're getting ready for our September 2017 training course, and our waiting list is already packed with health professionals who are eager to learn the techniques of academic detailing. So, what's our 2-day training class all about? 

First, some background on why academic detailing ("AD") is a critical tool in healthcare improvement. AD, or "clinical outreach education", is a unique clinical outreach education strategy where a trained health professional visits a frontline clinician, providing custom-tailored, 1:1, interactive service to that clinician in order to share best evidence and promote specific behavior changes.

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​In a 1:1 clinician visit, best evidence is shared to promote changes in care across clinical topics and strategies, including anything from shifts in patient prescribing (e.g., to prescribe fewer antibiotics, or switch to a more effective statin) to increases in use of screening and prevention tools (e.g., using a new tool to assess fall risk for seniors, or increase colon cancer screening for a specific demographic.)

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But knowing the best evidence is only half the battle. Effective academic detailers must learn how to truly connect with a busy clinician, figure out quickly and accurately what that clinician needs to support his or her practice, and deliver information in a dynamic, engaging, and clinician-centric way.

​"AD" is never a lecture, nor is it simply a delivery of glossy printouts. It's a personalized service used to actively engage busy front line clinicians, and the only way to learn how to deliver that service is to practice doing it. We teach our trainees to prepare for inevitable pushback and artfully deliver critical information that a front line clinician needs in order to provide the best care.

“I came away with refined communication skills and improved clinical knowledge."

-2015 NaRCAD Trainee

Our 2-day course features hands-on role-play where trainees take turns practicing interpersonal "social marketing" skills with their facilitators, all of whom play the role of a clinician with varying needs (and in varying moods!)

​This continuous practice, with supportive, small groups led by expert academic detailing professionals, allows our trainees to test out specific communication strategies and role play responses to potential resistance, which can range from a clinician's lack of time, concern about evidence, and differing opinions on best treatment. ​

Over 300 of our trainees have completed our 2-day course ready to visit practices, build trusting relationships with front-line clinicians, ​skillfully share best evidence, and successfully implement effective health interventions.

​If you're thinking about attending but would like to know more, please drop us an e-mail and our team will be happy to discuss this unique training experience. You can also check out testimonials from previous trainees here.

Ready to register? Just visit our training series page after July 1st, 2017, and save yourself a spot at our September 2017 session. 

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